گڑیوں کے گاؤں
Saturday, March 8, 2025
پاکستان کے صوبۂ پنجاب کے ضلع اوکاڑہ میں ایک گاؤں ایسا بھی ہے جو 'گڑیوں کے گاؤں' کے نام سے مشہور ہے۔ گاؤں کی بہت سی ہنر مند خواتین گڑیا تیار کرتی ہیں جنہیں مختلف ممالک میں ایکسپورٹ کیا جاتا ہے۔ اس گاؤں میں یہ کام کیسے شروع ہوا اور خواتین کس طرح آگے آئیں؟ جانیے نوید نسیم کی اس رپورٹ میں۔
Labels: Dolls Village, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:51 AM,
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گاؤں کی گڑیا
Thursday, August 10, 2023
بڑی بڑی آنکھوں والی خوبصورت لڑکی، دلہن بنی گڑیا کو دونوں ہاتھوں میں تھامے مبہوت ہو کر دیکھے جا رہی تھی ۔ گاؤں کے لوگ بڑے شوق سے اس منظر کو اپنی آنکھوں پر سجائے مسکرا رہے تھے ۔اس گاؤں میں جو بھی آتا تھا، انہی گڑیاؤں کا ذکر سن کر آتا تھا۔برسوں سے یہ سلسلہ چل رہا تھا۔بڑے بڑے لوگ آتے تھے ،ٹی وی اور فلموں والے بھی آتے تھے اور اس گاؤں کی منظر کشی کرتے تھے ۔پنجاب کے عین وسط میں واقع یہ گاؤں اب دنیا بھر میں گڑیاؤں کے گاؤں کے طور پر مشہور ہو چکا تھا۔آج بھی ایک ٹی وی چینل کی ٹیم اس گاؤں پر ایک دستاویزی فلم کی شوٹنگ کے لیے آئی ہوئی تھی۔ دسمبرکے سرد دن تھے لیکن بڑی اچھی دھوپ نکلی ہوئی تھی اور اس نرم سی ٹھنڈی گرمی میں مشہور ماڈل نیناں گل دلہن بنی پنجابی گڑیا کو دیکھ کر واری واری جا رہی تھی ۔وہ خود کو پنجابی دلہن کے روپ میں دیکھ رہی تھی ۔اس کی ماں پنجابی نہیں تھی لیکن وہ دلہن پنجاب کی بنی تھی اور نیناں گل کے اندر باہر پنجاب بولتا تھا، کبھی لٹھے دی چادر کے سروں میں، کبھی میرا لونگ گواچا اور کبھی بلے بلے کے ناچتے سازوں میں۔نیناں نے پنجابی دلہن گڑیا کو ایسی جپھی ڈال رکھی تھی کہ جیسے آج یہ گڑیا اس کے ساتھ ہی جائے گی ،لیکن ٹیم کے پاس وقت کم تھا، تیزی سے شوٹنگ کی گئی اور نیناں گل پنجاب کی دلہن گڑیا کو اپنی آنکھوںمیں سموئے گاؤں سے رخصت ہو گئی۔
Read more »Labels: Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:42 PM,
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Thatha Kedona: The Village of the of Dolls
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dolls Village, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:14 AM,
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Doll Making
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
A new doll making course is underway these days in Senta Siller Design Center (SSDC) in Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, District Okara, Pakistan. During this four weeks workshop 4 female teachers are training more than 20 young girls the art of making beautiful ethnic Pakistani dolls and dozens of other handicrafts. This workshop will bring forth a new generation of doll makers. The teachers and the learning girls will be given cash awards at the end of the workshop.
Labels: AFA (NGO), Doll Makers, Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:09 AM,
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اوکاڑہ کا نواحی گاؤں ڈولز ویلیج کہلایا جانے لگا
Monday, January 7, 2019
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dolls Village, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:22 PM,
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Dr Norbert Pintsch meets CM Punjab
Monday, October 3, 2016
Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, a senior German volunteer, called on the Chief Minister Punjab Mr Shahbaz Sharif on 30 September 2016 and discussed wide range of matters relating improvements in village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka and how the government of Punjab can help the Project in the village being run with the support of German volunteers. Dr Norbert also apprised the CM about what has been happening in the village for last 25 years since the start of the Project.
The meeting with CM Punjab has triggered a good amount of activities and a lot seems to be happening in the Village besides visit of high ranking officials of Okara District.
In addition (and as a result of CM’s interest in the Dolls Village Project), Dr Norbert Pintsch is going to meet Energy Department Punjab on 3 October where solarization/electrification of Basic Health Unit and street lighting in the village will be discussed.
On 4 October 2016, a meeting is scheduled with DCO, Okara for discussion on cleanliness of buffalo pond, drainage system, clean drinking water project, maintenance of the approach road, and posting of more staff in village schools and Basic Health Unit.
Later on 5 October 2016, Dr Norbert Pintsch is also due to speak as guest speaker in Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan before he leaves for Germany.
Labels: BHU, Dolls Village, Prof. Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:38 AM,
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Annual Distribution of Books in Village Schools 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Over quarter century ago, Senior German Volunteer Dr. Senta Siller had conceived and implemented the idea of giving books to the students of two government schools in Thatta Kedona Ghulamka Dheroka – the Dolls and Toy Village to promote education in rural community. At the start of academic session, AFA - the local NGO - distributes books (and stationary items) among the students of Government Girls Primary School as well as in Government Boys Primary School in the Village.
This tradition has become a milestone in the lives of students of both the schools and (as well as their parents). On the one hand, the students compete and wait for the Distribution of book and on the other, it takes away some of the financial burden from parents shoulders.
This year, Principal Mr Ashraf and Vice-Principal Mrs Sonia
from The Valley of Knowledge School, Lahore along with 7 pupils, Ahmad Jalal from Kids Campus, Principal Mrs Rukhsana with 6 pupils from Okara and Head Master and teachers from boys and girls school in TGD and young students attended the event.
Have a look at these images and it will give you the feeler of the atmosphere and show the shine on the faces of students.
"AFA (NGO) takes keen interest in the education of the children in the Village," said Dr Norbert Pintsch, a senior German volunteer.
Labels: Distribution of Books, Dolls Village, Education, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:25 AM,
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The first impression
Saturday, June 6, 2015
One of the first places I came to know after settling down is a village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka near Okara. The unique claim of the village to international fame is the dolls and toys made by village women that are collectors delight all over the world. Dolls made in the village have travelled to International Dolls Museum in Amsterdam and also have been put on display in the "Themepark" at EXPO 2000 in Hannover (Germany) as one of the 767 worldwide projects - an example of thinking for 21st century. Earlier, the dolls participated in International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. These dolls show how culture goes beyond simple work of art and becomes collaboration among applied and natural sciences as well as other forces that affect our lives.
The murals are painted on the parameter mud walls in the village where doll collectors and people interested in sustainable development and rural heritage from different initiative groups come and stay as paying guests. The village folks still consider cooing crows as symbol of the arrival of the guests. Architectural competitions are held annually when best mud house is selected. The Chief Harappan Explorer Dr. Mark Kenoyer had the place on the jury in competition held last July. Two full time German volunteers, Dr Norbert Pintsch and Dr Senta Siller, and village people are working together to change the life and out look in this peaceful hamlet. Whenever I visited the village, I saw something new, something different, which the villagers do to make difference in a place where they belong.
Labels: Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:02 AM,
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Churail in Dolls Village
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
The lives of the residents of this village changed 15 years when a German art teacher took up her student Amjad's invite and visited his village: Thatta Ghulam da Dheroka.
An enterprising spirit, she asked the villagers about their craft. The women showed her hand-made rag dolls. The art teacher, Dr Senta Siller, told the villagers she could teach them to make refined hand-made dolls.
Thus spun off a social enterprise in this 200-house strong village that has changed the way of life and living here. Women have a school. The village has a road. They experimented with alternative energy very early on, and now are undertaking community energy & food projects.
The women from this conservative village now go on study tours with the Germans. The villagers have learned about sanitation, childcare, and eco-friendly living. Cleanliness is rewarded here.
Above all, these changes were brought within the system, without breaking down the structure violently.
The whole village participates in the making of the dolls, which represent the four provinces of Pakistan. The original doll is called, "Churail."
This is my peek into their lives. More here!
An enterprising spirit, she asked the villagers about their craft. The women showed her hand-made rag dolls. The art teacher, Dr Senta Siller, told the villagers she could teach them to make refined hand-made dolls.
Thus spun off a social enterprise in this 200-house strong village that has changed the way of life and living here. Women have a school. The village has a road. They experimented with alternative energy very early on, and now are undertaking community energy & food projects.
The women from this conservative village now go on study tours with the Germans. The villagers have learned about sanitation, childcare, and eco-friendly living. Cleanliness is rewarded here.
Above all, these changes were brought within the system, without breaking down the structure violently.
The whole village participates in the making of the dolls, which represent the four provinces of Pakistan. The original doll is called, "Churail."
This is my peek into their lives. More here!
Labels: Dolls, Dolls Village, Dr Gwendolyne Kulick
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:15 AM,
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Dolls Village
Monday, January 26, 2015
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dolls Village, Dr. Senta Siller, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:06 AM,
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Dolls Village International Network
Friday, November 1, 2013
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:44 PM,
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Doll's Village is Changing
Thursday, September 5, 2013
With so much happening, Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) is changing in the process. The relative prosperity is visible. The serene environment and ambiance is also very pleasing. Quality of life is much better. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. Fruit and flower trees are given to residents for their court yards and they are encouraged to grow their own kitchen gardens. Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to Dr. Norbert Pintsch) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village.
Read more »Labels: Dolls Village, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, TGD, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
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Punjab Heritage
Monday, January 14, 2013
Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka - The Toy Village - is the name of the village in Punjab, about which a lot has been written, about its unique and special concept, Thatta Kedona is the name under which the handicraft products of the village and institutions connected to it within and outside the country are marketed.“Thatta Kedona” is quite different in nature as compared to other NGO's or similar institutions: Help and support is provided to the people within the countryside, because “if the villagers earn some money, they are not forced to move to the cities, which are already overburdened with many problems”.
Labels: Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
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First Hydroelectric Power Stations
Monday, June 25, 2012
On the way to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka - Toys Village - near Renala, you see one of the first Hydroelectric Power Stations constructed in the Subcontinent. Sir Ganga Ram, an Engineer and famous Philanthropist had built this Power Station in 1925 in order to irrigate about 70,000 acres of agricultural land that is higher than the normal level in the area and could not be irrigated through the LBDC. Ganga Ram forked the canal, built the Power Station and installed five motors to generate electricity. The then Governor Punjab, Sir William Malcolm Hailey laid down its foundation stone of the station on March 22, 1925.
Engineer in charge of the station explained the working of the station and its excellent performance despite the old vintage. The Power Station is not linked with National Electric Grid and only provides electricity for the five pumping stations for lifting the water from the LBDC. The Power Station remained with Power and Works Department till 1958 when it was taken over by WAPDA. Why not more similar hydroelectric stations in the country? The question keeps coming back to my mind.
Engineer in charge of the station explained the working of the station and its excellent performance despite the old vintage. The Power Station is not linked with National Electric Grid and only provides electricity for the five pumping stations for lifting the water from the LBDC. The Power Station remained with Power and Works Department till 1958 when it was taken over by WAPDA. Why not more similar hydroelectric stations in the country? The question keeps coming back to my mind.
Labels: Dolls Village, TGD, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:30 AM,
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Change is Possible
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Village TGD is changing in the process. The relative prosperity is visible. TGD was the first village in Punjab to have its own solar power house a decade ago and it is still working. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. The Centre has provided furniture and educational training aids to the two government primary schools (one for girls and the other for boys) in village and has also opened a well equipped basic health care centre. Books are distributed among students every year. Fruit and flower trees are given to residents for their court yards and they are encouraged to grow their own kitchen gardens. Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to SPARC) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village. The Dolls Village has entered a new era with the start of the Internet Radio Project in the beginning of 2010. The idea of the Internet Radio originated from influx of visitors and their interests since early 90s. Now the local and focused information can be spread effectively with the Internet-Radio.
Labels: Appropriate Technology, Dolls Village, Prof. Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 7:03 AM,
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BNU Students Visit Dolls Village
Monday, April 9, 2012
Students from different universities visit Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka for researh, learning and excursion. Here students from Beaconhouse National University are being briefed by Farooq Ahmed of Thatta Kedona in WAC in the Dolls Village.
Labels: Dolls Village, Students
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:30 AM,
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Dr Karola Groch at Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Dr Karola Groch - the Medical Doctor – was in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (aka Dolls Village) for more than 10 times. She has played a very memorable role in the development of Basic Health Unit (BHU) in the Village. She plans to visit the Dolls Village once again. This time she will also take 1 baby – 1 tree.
The I baby I tree is a cherished tradition is a Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama - NGO founded 1991 – in wich one flower tree is given to family that haves a baby and also one fruit tree to the every newlywed couple.
Handicraft development is the most important activity in the Dolls Village as it generate some additional income for the families living there. Life in rural areas is far cheaper than the urban centers and a little money for rustic people can go a long way in improving their social life. And every volunteer that comes to the village adds to the possibilities of creating more ncome for more families.
The volunteers and friends of TGD have become an institution by themselves. Presently they together with Dr Senta Siller participate in bazaar in ethnological museums.
Labels: Dolls Village, Dr Karola Groch, TGD, Volunteers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:34 AM,
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Seal of Excellence
Monday, March 7, 2011
Coveted UNESCO award “Seal of Excellence 2007” was conferred upon Women Art Center of AFA in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. In Islamabad, an International Jury selected the dolls project on September 12-13, 2007. This is how a small village project won the award!
Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka - The Toy Village - is the name of the village in Punjab, about which a lot has been written, about its unique and special concept, Thatta Kedona is the name under which the handicraft products of the village and institutions connected to it within and outside the country are marketed.
“Thatta Kedona” is quite different in nature as compared to other NGO's or similar institutions: Help and support is provided to the people within the countryside, because “if the villagers earn some money, they are not forced to move to the cities, which are already overburdened with many problems”.
The agricultural activity in the village is not sufficient and therefore it is necessary to provide opportunities for additional income in the villages. This can be done by promoting the traditional culture and its conversion into handicrafts. The approach must always be understood in its totality and implemented properly.
The agricultural activity in the village is not sufficient and therefore it is necessary to provide opportunities for additional income in the villages. This can be done by promoting the traditional culture and its conversion into handicrafts. The approach must always be understood in its totality and implemented properly.
The income generated through agriculture may be minimal, it may infact be just sufficient to meets the needs of basic food and simple shelter, but the cost of living in the village is definitely cheaper than the city; the push into the cities enables only the least of the migrants the promised benefits. The steadily increasing productivity of the urban industrial work place ruins not only the rural work place, but specially the life in the city; industrial production and global economics require increase in consumer base and destruction of resources, - in totality therefore not a great concept for the future.
“Thatta Kedona” propagates instead of a a mild effort rather Help Towards Self-Help, “Thatta Kedona” is not an instrument for development and financing of individual family interests nor is it an attemp at religious, political or educational infiltration !
“Thatta Kedona” does not exist with the help of donations or charity of the city dwellers, who may derive satisfaction from a good deed, -this is not compatible with the concept of Help Towards Self-Help: Donations and Alms help only superficially and encourage dependence, -a danger, which was already recognized by the founder of Pakistan and who warned against it.
In the so often propagated Global World, it is of much importance within a state to support Self-Help efforts on one hand to direct the population according to the available resources. If this does not happen, the increasing consumer behaviour kills the initiatives, which becomes known not in the beginning but at a much later stage, when reforms become impossible to implement.
The city culture is international and the problems in the cities worldwide similar, the traditional culture of diverse regions is something special and needs to be protected and supported, - Thatta Kedona is a metaphore for a change in the way of thinking: The future lies in the countryside!
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:06 PM,
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Lahore College for Women University students in the Dolls Village
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thatta Kedona, in addition to producing dolls, toys and other cultural handicrafts has been a center of leaning since its inception over a decade ago. Students from different universities have been visiting Thatta Ghulaka Dheroka for research, orientation and or for sightseeing.
This time a group of 55 students from Lahore College for Women University (-Dept for modern languages, -Dept for Home-Economic and Dept for Ceramic) visited the Dolls Village on Mar 28, 2010.
Group arrived in university buses. In the villages they explored cultural complex, Women Art Center where they were briefed about activities of AFA and TTTC (including pottery workshop and Appropriate Technology) by Farooq Ahmed and Ms Farzana. They also visited localy designed Mud House.
In addition to the village walk, students were taken around on Tonga
Stay tuned, students from Beacons House University are also visiting the Dolls Village in the first week of April.
Labels: Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5:59 PM,
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Welcome to Dolls Village
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Located on the offside, between Okara und Faisalabad, 45 Minutes eastward of Harappa.
100 % EXPERIENCE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE PUNJAB - A PROGRAMME OF ABSOLUTE CONTRASTS
NO Swimming Pool - NO Alcohol - NO Buffet - NO Bus - N O ...!
Pre-condition for Participation: Covered skin, Respect for the traditional culture !
- Last war of freedom in the Punjab in 1857, Murder of Lord Berkeley by the Kharel tribe of TGD
- Region of the best buffaloes of the world as well as cattle thieves;
- AFA / TGD at the EXPO 2000 in Hannover and EXPO 2005 in Aichi
- AFA / TGD silver medal for the dolls project IWSA/UNESCO 2004
- “TV-Programme”: channel ONE-sunset, channel TWO-moonshine and stars
Handicraft production of dolls in traditional dresses of provinces and minorities at the Women Centre
Models of Rickshaws and other metal toys at the Men Centre.
Best time for visits: March and October (as there is no air-conditioner in summer and no heating in winter)
Local Boarding and Lodging is available for visitors @ Pak. Rs. 250 per person per day.
Registration for Transport Lahore - Village:
M.Ilyas, AFA, Showroom Lahore, 0303-7 35 69 86
Registration for Self-Transport: Mr Farooq Ahmad, AFA, Man. Director Men Centre 0300-417 43 60
Mrs Farzana Zahoor, AFA, Man. Director Women Centre 0321-697 21 05
Other Information here and in this site
100 % EXPERIENCE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE PUNJAB - A PROGRAMME OF ABSOLUTE CONTRASTS
Pre-condition for Participation: Covered skin, Respect for the traditional culture !
- Last war of freedom in the Punjab in 1857, Murder of Lord Berkeley by the Kharel tribe of TGD
- Region of the best buffaloes of the world as well as cattle thieves;
- AFA / TGD at the EXPO 2000 in Hannover and EXPO 2005 in Aichi
- AFA / TGD silver medal for the dolls project IWSA/UNESCO 2004
- “TV-Programme”: channel ONE-sunset, channel TWO-moonshine and stars
Handicraft production of dolls in traditional dresses of provinces and minorities at the Women Centre
Models of Rickshaws and other metal toys at the Men Centre.
Best time for visits: March and October (as there is no air-conditioner in summer and no heating in winter)
Local Boarding and Lodging is available for visitors @ Pak. Rs. 250 per person per day.
Registration for Transport Lahore - Village:
M.Ilyas, AFA, Showroom Lahore, 0303-7 35 69 86
Registration for Self-Transport: Mr Farooq Ahmad, AFA, Man. Director Men Centre 0300-417 43 60
Mrs Farzana Zahoor, AFA, Man. Director Women Centre 0321-697 21 05
Other Information here and in this site
Labels: Dolls Village
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:47 AM,
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